Abstract
The invention relates to an assembly for installing solar panels on a base, and in particular a substantially flat base, comprising at least two solar panels and a mounting system for coupling the solar panels to one another, wherein the solar panels, in a position in which they are installed on the base, enclose an angle with respect to one another. The invention also relates to a mounting system comprising a connecting element which can be subjected to compressive loads, for connecting sides of two solar panels which face one another in the installed position and a connecting element which can be subjected to tensile loads, for limiting the angle enclosed by the solar panels with respect to one another. The invention additionally relates to a method for installing solar panels on a base, and in particular a substantially flat base, by means of an assembly according to the invention.
Claims
1. An assembly for installing solar panels on a base, and in particular a substantially flat base, comprising: at least two solar panels, each solar panel comprising an energy-converting layer and a protective rigid top layer; and a mounting system for coupling the solar panels to one another, wherein the solar panels, in a position in which they are installed on the base, enclose an angle with respect to one another, comprising: a connecting element which can be subjected to compressive loads, for connecting sides of the solar panels which face one another in the installed position, wherein the connecting element which can be subjected to compressive loads comprises two segments, wherein each of the segments is provided with: a first supporting surface for engaging with a side of a solar panel at least at the location of the rigid top layer, and a second supporting surface facing away from the first supporting surface, for resting against the second supporting surface of the other segment; and a connecting element which can be subjected to tensile loads, for limiting the angle enclosed by the solar panels with respect to one another.
2. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second supporting surfaces, in a position in which the assembly is installed on the base, loosely bear against one another.
3. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second supporting surfaces of the segments, upon engagement of the connecting element which can be subjected to compressive loads with the sides of the solar panels which face one another in the installed position, are situated at least in line with the rigid top layers of the solar panels.
4. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the segments are connected to one another via a hinge, in such a way that the hinge is situated at a distance from the second supporting surfaces.
5. The assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the hinge is flexibly connected to the supporting surfaces.
6. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting system comprises at least two feet for supporting the solar panels on the base, wherein each of the feet is configured to engage with another of the sides of the solar panels which face away from one another in the installed position.
7. The assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein at least one foot is provided with a coupling for engaging with the connecting element which can be subjected to tensile loads.
8. The assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein at least one foot can be coupled to the base.
9. The assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein at least one foot can be coupled to an adjacent foot.
10. The assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the feet are integrally connected to the sides of the solar panels which face away from one another in the installed position.
11. The assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the length of the feet is substantially equal to the length of the sides of the solar panels which face away from one another in the installed position.
12. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting element which can be subjected to compressive loads is integrally connected to the sides of the solar panels which face one another in the installed position.
13. The assembly as claimed claim 1, wherein the length of the connecting element which can be subjected to compressive loads is substantially equal to the length of the sides of the solar panels which face one another in the installed position.
14. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting element which can be subjected to tensile loads is formed by a tensioning cable.
15. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the segments are each provided with a guide element for engaging with the guide element of the other segment, wherein the guide element is configured, upon engagement by the guide element of the other segment, to align the segments with one another in such a way that the second supporting surfaces rest on one another in the installed position of the solar panels.
16. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting element which can be subjected to compressive loads is provided with at least one leg for resting on the base.
17. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting system is provided with ballast for exerting a downward force on the connecting element which can be subjected to compressive loads.
18. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting element which can be subjected to compressive loads is provided with a windbreak which protrudes above the tops of the solar panels in the installed position of the assembly.
19. (canceled)
20. (canceled)
21. (canceled)
22. A method for installing solar panels on a base, and in particular a substantially flat base, by means of an assembly as claimed in claim 1, comprising the steps of: A) transporting the at least two solar panels in a stacked position, wherein the solar panels are situated substantially parallel to one another, B) unfolding the solar panels before installation on the base, wherein the solar panels are situated substantially in line with one another and wherein the solar panels enclose an angle with the base, which angle is usually less than 30 degrees, preferably less than 20 degrees and more preferably approximately 10 degrees, and C) installing the assembly on the base in the unfolded position of the solar panels.
23. (canceled)
24. The method as claimed in claim 22, wherein the mounting system is arranged on the solar panels prior to step A).
Description
[0027] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an assembly according to the invention in an unfolded position in which it can be installed on the base,
[0028] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the assembly as shown in FIG. 1 in a folded position suitable for transport,
[0029] FIG. 3A shows a side view of the assembly in a position in which it can be installed on the ground, as shown in FIG. 1,
[0030] FIG. 3B shows a detail view of the detail indicated in FIG. 3A by “detail A”,
[0031] FIG. 3C shows a detail view of the detail indicated in FIG. 3A by “detail B”,
[0032] FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of the assembly in a position in which it can be installed on the ground, as shown in FIG. 1,
[0033] FIG. 5A shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an assembly according to the invention in an unfolded position in which it can be installed on the base,
[0034] FIG. 5B shows a detail view of the detail indicated in FIG. 5A by “detail C”, and
[0035] FIG. 5C shows a detail view of the detail indicated in FIG. 5A by “detail D”.
[0036] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an assembly 10 according to the invention in an unfolded position in which it can be installed on the base. The assembly 10 comprises two solar panels 11, which are surrounded at the side by a frame 12. The assembly 10 also comprises a mounting system 13, by means of which the solar panels 11 are coupled to one another. In the embodiment shown, the mounting system 13 comprises three connecting elements 14 which can be subjected to compressive loads and which connect the sides 15 of the solar panels 11 which face one another in the installed position illustrated and keep them at a distance from one another. On the top of the connecting elements 14 which can be subjected to compressive loads, a windbreak 16 is arranged which protrudes above the tops 17 of the solar panels 11. The mounting system 13 also comprises six feet 18 arranged on either side of the assembly 10, by means of which the solar panels 11 can rest on the base. In this case, the feet 18 engage with the sides 19 of the solar panels 11 which face away from one another in the installed position illustrated. The outer feet 18 are also provided with pins 20 which form fastening elements, by means of which these feet 18 can be coupled to an adjacent foot in order to form a row of consecutive solar panels 11.
[0037] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the assembly 10 as shown in FIG. 1 in a folded position suitable for transport. In the position shown, the solar panels 11 are situated substantially parallel to one another, wherein the protective rigid top layers 21—usually formed by a glass plate—are facing outward. The solar panels 11 are protected at a peripheral edge by the frame 12 and are provided at the bottom with an electrical junction box 22. The connecting element 14 which can be subjected to compressive loads connects the sides 15 of the solar panels 11 which face one another in the installed position. To this end, the connecting element 14 which can be subjected to compressive loads comprises two segments 23, each provided with a first supporting surface 24, by means of which they engage with the sides 15 of the solar panels 11 at least at the location of the rigid top layer 21. The segments 23 are connected to one another by means of a hinge 25 situated centrally between the segments 23. The hinge 25 also forms a point of engagement for a leg 26 situated between the solar panels 11 in the folded position, by means of which the assembly 10 can additionally rest on the base. On the sides 19 of the solar panels 11 which face away from one another in the installed position, feet 18 are provided which engage with the sides 19 via a first surface 27 at least at the location of the rigid top layer 21. Via a second surface 28, the foot 18, and thus the assembly 10, can rest on the base. The feet 18 are connected to one another via a connecting element 29 which can be subjected to tensile loads, for which purpose the ends 30 of the connecting element 29 which can be subjected to tensile loads engage with the feet 18. In the embodiment shown, the connecting element 29 which can be subjected to tensile loads is formed by a tensioning cable, which is situated between the solar panels 11 in the folded position of the assembly 10. The feet 18 are also provided with through-holes 31 for passing through the pins 20 shown in FIG. 1.
[0038] FIG. 3A shows a side view of the assembly 10 in a position in which it can be installed on the ground, as shown in FIG. 1. The connecting element 29 which can be subjected to tensile loads connects the feet 18 which engage with either side of the assembly 10, as a result of which the angle α enclosed by the solar panels 11 with respect to one another is limited. The connecting element 14 which can be subjected to compressive loads and which is clamped between the sides 15 of solar panels 11 which face one another keeps the solar panels 11 at a distance from one another at a top. It can once again be seen that the segments 23 of the connecting element 14 which can be subjected to compressive loads are connected to one another by means of a hinge 25 situated centrally between the segments 23. The leg 26 extends downward from the hinge 25 until the base or just above the base, in order to support the assembly 10 centrally or support it in the event of an additional load on the solar panels 11. The windbreak 16 arranged on the connecting element 14 which can be subjected to compressive loads protrudes above the tops 17 of the solar panels 11.
[0039] FIG. 3B shows a detail view of the detail, indicated in FIG. 3A by “detail A”, of the assembly 10 at the location of the connecting element 14 which can be subjected to compressive loads. The connecting element 14 which can be subjected to compressive loads comprises two segments 23, each provided with a first supporting surface 24 which bears against the entire side 15 of the solar panel and thus also engages with the side 15 at the location of the rigid top layer 21. In the illustrated case, the sides 15, 19 of the solar panels 11 are formed by a frame 12 provided on the peripheral edge of the solar panels. However, it is also conceivable for the solar panels 11 not to be provided with such a framing, in which case the first supporting surfaces 24 bear directly against the sides 15 of the solar panels 11. In addition, the first supporting surfaces 24 also engage with the bottom 32 of the solar panels 11, by means of which the solar panels 11 are supported at the ends facing one another. However, it is also possible for the first supporting surfaces 24 to engage with the sides 15 of the solar panels 11 only at the location of the rigid top layer 21. The first supporting surface 24 of each of the segments 23 is connected to a second supporting surface 34 of the same segment 23 by means of a connecting structure 33, wherein the connecting structure 33 is situated in line with the rigid top layer 21 of the solar panel 11 with which the first supporting surface 24 engages. As a result, the second supporting surface 34 of each of the segments 23 is situated in line with the rigid top layer 21 of the solar panel 11. The second supporting surfaces 34 are also rounded so that the surface on which the second supporting surfaces 34 engage with one another is sufficiently large at different orientations of the second supporting surfaces 34. The hinge 25 which connects the segments 23 of the connecting element 14 which can be subjected to compressive loads to one another is situated at a distance from and directly below the second supporting surfaces 34. The hinge 25 is also situated at a distance from the first supporting surfaces 24 and is flexibly connected to the supporting surfaces 24, 34. The flexible connection is formed by an elastically deformable connecting piece 35 which, in such a case, only has a limited wall thickness. Finally, the leg 26 and the windbreak 16 are visible and engage with a bottom and a top, respectively, of the connecting element 14 which can be subjected to compressive loads.
[0040] FIG. 3C shows a detail view of the detail, indicated in FIG. 3A by “detail B”, of the assembly 10 at the location where a foot 18 engages with the solar panel 11 and the connecting element 29 which can be subjected to tensile loads engages with the foot 18. The foot 18 engages with the side 19 (bordered by the frame 12) of the solar panel 11. More specifically, the foot 18 engages with the solar panel 11 at the location of the rigid top layer 21. The same applies to the connecting element 29 which can be subjected to tensile loads and which engages with the foot 18 at the location of the rigid top layer 21 or directly below. A coupling 36 is provided on the foot 18 for engaging with the connecting element 29 which can be subjected to tensile loads. In the embodiment shown, the coupling 36 is formed by a cutout in which the connecting element 29 which can be subjected to tensile loads is accommodated.
[0041] FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of the assembly 10 in a position in which it can be installed on the ground, as shown in FIG. 1. The feet 18 and the legs 26, by means of which the assembly 10 can rest on the base, are clearly visible. Also visible are the pins 20 which are provided on the outer feet 18 for coupling to an adjacent foot. The connecting elements 14 which can be subjected to compressive loads may also be provided with such pins 20 for coupling to an adjacent connecting element 14 which can be subjected to compressive loads.
[0042] FIG. 5A shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an assembly 50 according to the invention in an unfolded position in which it can be installed on the base. The assembly 50 shown in this figure, like the assembly shown in the preceding figures, comprises two solar panels 51 and a mounting system 52, by means of which the solar panels 51 are coupled to one another. In the embodiment shown, the mounting system 52 comprises a single connecting element 53 which can be subjected to compressive loads and which extends over substantially the entire length of the sides 54 of the solar panels 51 which face one another in the position shown. The segments 55 of the connecting element 53 which can be subjected to compressive loads are additionally each provided with a guide element 56 for engaging with the guide element 56 of the other segment 55. The guide elements 56 also serve as engagement element for engagement by a bracket 57 (see FIG. 5B) from which ballast 58 is suspended. The mounting system 52 further comprises two feet 59 which extend on either side of the assembly 50 over substantially the entire length of the sides 60 of the solar panels 51 which face away from one another in the position shown. The feet 59 are connected to one another via a connecting element 61 which can be subjected to tensile loads, which connecting element 61 which can be subjected to tensile loads is formed in the present case by a tensioning cable.
[0043] FIG. 5B shows a detail view of the detail, indicated in FIG. 5A by “detail C”, at the location of the connecting element 53 which can be subjected to compressive loads. In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting element 53 which can be subjected to compressive loads once again comprises two segments 55. The segments 55 engage with the side 54 of a solar panel 51 via a first supporting surface 62, wherein they also rest against the side 54 of the solar panel 51 at the location of the rigid top layer 63 of the solar panel 51. The segments 55 also rest via the second supporting surface 64 against the second supporting surface 64 of the other segment 55, by means of which the sides 54 of the solar panels 51 which face one another in the position shown are connected to one another. The segments 55 are also provided with guide elements 56, formed by complementary, self-aligning profiles which, upon sliding two solar panels 51 which are stacked on one another and already provided with the segments 55 away from one another, engage with one another in a preferred orientation. The guide elements 56 additionally serve as engagement element for engagement by a bracket 57 from which ballast 58 is suspended.
[0044] Finally, FIG. 5C shows a detail view of the detail, indicated in FIG. 5A by “detail D”, of the assembly 50 at the location where a foot 59 engages with the solar panel 51 and the connecting element 61 which can be subjected to tensile loads engages with the foot 59. In the embodiment shown, the foot 59 engages with the bottom 65 and top 66 and with the entire side 60 of the solar panel 51, wherein the foot 59 also rests against the side 60 of the solar panel 51 at the location of the rigid top layer 63 of the solar panel 51. A coupling 67 is once again provided on the foot 59 for engaging with the connecting element 61 which can be subjected to tensile loads. Due to the specific placement of the coupling 67, the connecting element 61 which can be subjected to tensile loads engages with the foot 59 at the location of the rigid top layer 63 or directly below. The foot 59 is also provided with a through-hole 68 for passing through a pin, by means of which a coupling to the foot 59 of an adjacent assembly 50 can be brought about.
[0045] It will be clear that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments illustrated and described here, but that countless variants are possible within the framework of the attached claims which will be obvious to the person skilled in the art. In this case, it is conceivable for various inventive concepts and/or technical measures of the above-described variant embodiments to be completely or partly combined without, in this case, moving away from the inventive idea described in the attached claims.
